Apparatus for guiding filaments



Sept. 7, 1954 I O NELSON 2,688,593

APPARATUS FOR GUIDING FILAMENTS Filed Nov. 30, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l AITORNEY l Sept. 7, 1954 o. G. NELSON 2,688,593

APPARATUS FOR GUIDING FILAMENTS Filed Nov. 50, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 7, 1 954 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE APPARATUS FOR GUIDING FILAMENTS Oscar G. Nelson, Baltimore, Md., assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 30, 1951, Serial No. 259,223

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to apparatus for guiding filaments, and more particularly to wire-guiding apparatus for electrolytic devices.

In machines for electroplating wires rapidly, a multitude of wires are advanced through a series of cleaning, flash plating, heavy plating and cleaning baths. Normally these baths have been mounted in a straight line so that the wires need not be reversed, and it is highly desirable that the wires be processed at very high rates of speed, which requires the entire series of baths to be very long. Often it is not feasible to have the baths in a single straight run due to space limitations, and it has been proposed to divide the run into parallel runs. However, in the past there has been no satisfactory apparatus for guiding a multitude of strands from one series of baths to another in the parallel runs.

An object of the invention is to provide new and improved apparatus for guiding filaments.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved wire-guiding devices for electrolytic devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide compact wire-guiding devices for guiding a multitude of strands from one run of an electroplating machine to a second run of the machine.

In an apparatus illustrating certain features of the invention, there may be provided a series of wire guides mounted in diagonally extending banks which are offset vertically from one another for guiding a series of wires bein advanced in a single plane around a curve without interference between the wires. There also may be provided a wire deflecting means for moving the wires out of the plane in which they are advanced to the planes of the wire guides around Which the respective wires travel.

A complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from the following detailed description of an apparatus forming a specific embodiment thereof, when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, top plan view of an apparatus forming one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig, 3 is an enlarged, vertical section taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, vertical section taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of a part of the apparatus with portions thereof broken away.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, there is shown therein a guide It for turning wires H-ll being withdrawn in a single horizontal plane from an electroplatin tank !2 of a series of tanks, and directing the wires to a guide [3, which directs the wires to a plating tank It. The tank I4 is one of a series of tanks formin a continuation of the series of tanks of which the tank l2 forms a part, the two series of tanks being mounted in parallel, side-by-side positions.

The guides l9 and 13 are identical but reversed in the disposition of the elements thereon. The guide ID is provided with horizontally disposed guide sheaves l6-IB mounted rota-tably on vertical stub shafts ll-Il, all positioned at the same level and mounted in a line diagonal with respect to the tank [2 at a level substantially below the level of the top of a guide roller 23 provided with spaced grooves 2l-2l therein at one end portion thereof. The roller 20 is mounted on a bracket 22 positioned on the top of a frame 23. A bracket 24 mounts a short, grooved roller 25 having grooves 26-26 therein at a level such that the bottom of the grooved roller 25 is at the same level as the sheaves l6-l6, which level is considerably below the top of the roller 23. The grooves 26-26 in the roller 25 are aligned with the grooves 2i-2l in the roller 20. The wires ll-ll go directly from the grooves 2I-2l of the roller 2D to the grooves 26-26 of the roller 25 to the sheaves [6-16, travel from the sheaves 16-16 below sheaves 21-21, 28-28, 29-29 and 39-30 to sheaves 3l-3l mounted on stub shafts 32-32 at the same level as that of the sheaves Iii-l6. Nuts, of which nuts 33 and 34 are shown, mount the stub shafts 32-32 adjustably on a channel 35, and bearings 36-36 mount the sheaves 3 l-3l for free rotation on the stub shafts 32-32. The other sheaves are similarly mounted for adjustment. Deflectors 31-3! having holes 39-33 therein through which the stub shafts 32-32 pass extend below the sheaves and cover diagonal slots 39-39 formed by upwardly turned flanges 40-49 of pans ill-4i, which serve to drain electrolyte that drops from the wires to drain pans 42-42 under the rollers. The ends of the slots 39-39 are closed by end plates 43-43 welded to the flanges 49-49.

The wires travel around the sheaves 3 I -3I to a grooved roller 45 having grooves 49-46 therein, the bottom of which is mounted at the same level as the sheaves 3 l-3i with the grooves 49-46 substantially aligned with the grooves in the sheaves 3l-3l. The wires travel from the grooved roller 45 to a roller 48 mounted on a bracket 49 and provided with grooves 50-50 spaced along the roller 43 the same as the spacing of the grooves 46-46 along the roller 45. The height of the top of the roller 48 is that at which it is desired all the wires II to travel into the tank l4. The sheaves 21-21 and 30-30 are mounted on stub shafts l-5l and 52-52, respectively, and lie within a plane which is substantially above the plane of the sheaves Iii-I6 and 3l-3I so that the wires ll-H can pass under the sheaves 21-21 and 30-30. The sheaves 21-21 receive wires 59-59 travelling through grooves 52-52 formed in the roller 20 and grooves 53-53 formed in a roller 54 mounted by a bracket 55 at a height such that the bottom of the roller 54 is positioned about midway between the top of the roller 20 and the bottom of the roller 25. The wires 59-59 pass partially around the sheaves 21-21 and under the sheaves 28-28 and 29-29 to the sheaves 30-30, and make a 90 turn to a grooved roller 60 identical with the grooved roller 54 and mounted at the same height as the roller 54 by a bracket 6|. The wires 59-59 travel from grooves 62-62 in the roller 60 to grooves 63-63 in the roller 48 into the same plane as that in which the wires H-ll enter the tank [4.

Wires 66-65 travel from the tank l2 through grooves 01-61 formed in the roller 20 and spaced in alignment with the sheaves 28-28, as viewed in Fig. 1. The sheaves 28-20 are mounted on stub shafts 68-68 at the same level as the grooves 91-61 at the uppermost portion of the roller 20. The wires 66-56 travel partially around the sheaves 28-20 to the sheaves 29-29, which are mounted on stub shafts 69-69 at the same height as the sheaves 20-28. The roller 48 is provided with grooves -10 each of which is aligned with one of the sheaves 29-29, as viewed in Fig. l. The wires 66-66 travel 90 around the sheaves 29-29 and into the uppermost portions of grooves 10-10 in the roller 08 to the tank E4. The spacing of the sheaves in diagonal rows is such that the wires are guided by the sheaves through the grooves in the rollers. That is, the points on the sheaves l6-l6 at which the wires ll-I! strike the sheaves [6-16 are in the same vertical plane as the points at which the wire contacts the grooves 26-26 in the roller 25 and the grooves 2l-2l in the roller 20. The other sheaves are similarly located with respect to the grooves in the rollers guiding the wires to and from these sheaves.

Operation The wires lI-H are advanced continuously through the series of tanks including the tank 12 over the roller 20, under the roller 25, partially around the sheaves I i-l6, from which the wires travel under the sheaves 21-21, 28-28, 29-29 and 30-30 to the sheaves 3l-3l. The wires pass partially around the sheaves 3l-3l, which are arranged in a row diagonal with respect to the tank 14 and travel under the roller 45 through the spaced grooves 46-46 in the roller 45 and from the grooves 46-46 over the roller 48 through the grooves 50-50 in the roller 48, and then travel into the series of tanks including the tank It.

The wires 59-59 are advanced from the tank 12 over the roller 20, under the grooved roll 5&- to the sheaves 21-21 at a level above that of the portions of the wires H-H travelling from the sheaves I6-l6 to the sheaves 31-31. The wires 59-59 travel under the sheaves 28-20 and 29-29 to the sheaves 30-30, and from the sheaves 30-30 under the roll 60 and over the roll 49 into the tank l4.

The wires 66-66 travel over the roller 20 in the grooves 61-61 directly to and partially around the sheaves 28-28 at a level above that of the wires ll-ll and 59-59. The wires 66-69 travel from the sheaves 28-28 to the sheaves 29-20, from which they travel directly to and over the roll 48 into the tank M, the wires resting in the grooves 10-10 in the roll 43 as they travel thereover.

Thus, it is seen that the wires Il-l l, 59-59 and 69-66 travel in different, vertically spaced planes from the guide [0 to the guide l3 with the wires 59-59 being lower than the wires 66-66, and the wires ll-H being lower than the wires 59-59, so that there is no interference between the several wires as they are turned through an angle of in their travel. This is effected by the diagonal mounting of the groups of sheaves of the guides 10 and i3, and its is evident that a very small amount of floor space is required for the guides l0 and I3 which are simple and inexpensive in construction, while highly effective in operation.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simply illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled in the art, which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A filament-processing apparatus, which comprises an open processing tank, a second open processing tank positioned in side-by side relationship with the first-mentioned tank, a roller having groups of circumferential grooves spaced therealong disposed horizontally at a predetermined level at the exit end of the first-mentioned tank for guiding a plurality of filaments from the tank, a second roller having a group of cir cumferential grooves spaced therealcng the same as the spacing of one of said groups of grooves in the first-mentioned roller and disposed horizontally at a predetermined level different from the level of the first-mentioned roller for deflecting a group of filaments travelling in the lastmentioned group of grooves to a predetermined plane, a group of sheaves mounted in the lastmentioned plane along a diagonal with respect to the last-mentioned roller for guiding through a right angle filaments from the last-mentioned roller, a second group of sheaves mounted in a plane at the level at which a second group of wires leave the first-mentioned roller along a diagonal with respect to the first-mentioned roller for guiding the second group of filaments through a right angl at a level difierent from the level of the wires of the first-mentioned group, a group of sheaves mounted at the same level as the first-mentioned group of sheaves along a diagonal with respect to the secondtank and opposed to the diagonal of the sheaves cf the first-mentioned group, a third rolierhaving grooves therein mounted between the third-mentioned group of sheaves and the second-mentioned tank for receiving the filaments from the third-mentioned group of sheaves the same level as the third-mentioned group of sheaves, a fourth roller having grooves therein positioned between the third-mentioned roller and the secend-mentioned tank at a level such that it defiects filaments from the third-mentioned roller to the tank, and a fourth group of sheaves mounted at the same level as the second-mentioned group of sheaves along a diagonal with respect to the second-mentioned tank and opposed to the diagonal of the sheaves of the sec-- end-mentioned group for guiding the secondmentioned group of filaments to the fourth-mentioned roller.

2. A filament-processing apparatus, which comprises an elongated tank, a second elongated tank extending along and parallel to the first tank, a group of sheaves mounted for rotation on vertical axes at one end of the first tank in parallel rows, the sheaves in each of the rows being at a level different from that of each other row, means for guiding filaments in groups from the first tank to the different levels of the rows of sheaves, a second group of sheaves mounted for rotation on vertical axes at the adjacent end of the second tank in parallel rows, said rows of each group of sheaves extending angularly with respect to the tanks and diverging from the rows of the other group, the rows of the second-mentioned sheaves being at the same levels as the rows of the first-mentioned sheaves in order that the second-mentioned sheaves may receive the filament advancing from the first-mentioned sheaves, and means for guiding all the filaments from the second-mentioned sheaves into the sec ond tank at one level.

3. Apparatus for guiding a plurality of spacedapart filaments emerging from one unit of a processing device in a single plane into a second sideby-side unit of the processing device in the same plane, which comprises means for deflecting a group of the filaments to another plane as they emerge from the first unit, means for guiding said group of filaments towards the second unit in coplanar, non-crossing paths, means for deflecting the group of filaments back into their original plane as they enter the second unit, and means for guiding a second group of the filaments emerging from the first unit to the second unit along paths that are vertically disposed from and parallel to those traversed by the first group of filaments.

4. Apparatus for guiding a plurality of spacedapart filaments emerging from one unit of a processing device in a'single plane into a second parallel, side-by-side unit of the processing device in the same plane, which comprises means for deflecting a group of the filaments to another plane as they emerge from the first unit, a plurality of sheaves in the second-mentioned plane, one for each filament of the group, for guiding the group of filaments toward th second unit in coplanar, non-crossing paths, means for deflecting the group of filaments back into their original plane as they enter the second unit, and a plurality of sheaves arranged in a third plane for guiding a second group of filaments emerging from the first unit to the second unit in coplanar, non-crossing paths.

5. Apparatus for guiding a plurality of wires advancing in parallel relationship in a single plane and in the same direction from one unit of an electroplating machine into a second parallel, side-by-side unit of the machine in the same relationship and plane, which comprises means for maintaining a group of the wires advancing from the first unit in parallel relationship in said plane and direction, a plurality of sheaves in said plane, one for each wire in the group, for turning the wires through so that the wires are directed toward the second unit of the machin in the same plane but in the opposite direction, means for, deflecting a second group of the wires advancing from the first unit to a second plane parallel to the first plane, a plurality of sheaves in the second plane, one for each wire in the second group, for turning the Wires through 180 along paths parallel to but displaced vertically from those traversed by the first group of wires so that said Wires are directed toward the second unit in the opposite direction, and means for deflecting the thus-turned wires back into their original plane and into the second unit.

6. Apparatus for guiding a plurality of filaments travelling in the same direction adjacent to a common plane, which comprises a base, a plurality of spaced rows of sheaves rotatably mounted on the base adjacent to planes parallel to the plane of the filaments, the axes of the sheaves of each row extending at equal angles to the direction of travel of the respective filaments, and rotatabl filament-guiding means so positioned as to guide separate groups of the filaments between the normal paths of travel of the filaments and the respective rows of sheaves, whereby the directions of travel of the groups of filaments may be changed without interference therebetween.

7. Apparatus for guiding a plurality of filaments travelling in the same direction adjacent to a horizontal plane, which comprises a base, a horizontal row of sheaves rotatably mounted on the base adjacent to the same horizontal plane and at an angle to the direction of advancement of the filaments, a horizontal row of sheaves ro- 5 tatably mounted on the base and adjacent to a plane spaced from and parallel to that of the first row of sheaves, means for guiding a group of the advancing filaments between their normal paths of travel and the first row of sheaves, and means for guiding another group of the advancing filaments between their normal paths of travel and the second row of sheaves, whereby the directions of travel of the respective groups of filaments may be changed Without interference therebetween.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 413,889 Beguz Oct. 29, 1889 2,289,535 Weaver July 14, 1942 2,307,925 Gray Jan. 12, 1943 2,353,987 Bartlett July 18, 1944 2,375,434 Moise et a1 May 8, 1945 2,435,931 Schweitzer Feb. .10, 1948 

1. A FILAMENT-PROCESSING APPARATUS, WHICH COMPRISES AN OPEN PROCESSING TANK, A SECOND OPEN PROCESSING TANK POSITIONED IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FIRST-METHIONED TANK, A ROLLER HAVING GROUPS OF CIRCUMFERENTIAL GROOVES SPACED THEREALONG DISPOSED HORIZONTALLY AT A PREDETERMINED LEVEL AT THE EXIT END OF THE FIRST-MENTIONED TANK FOR GUIDING A PLURALITY OF FILAMENTS FROM THE TANK, A SECOND ROLLER HAVING A GROUP OF CIRCUMFERENTIAL GROOVES SPACED THEREALONG THE SAME AS THE SPACING OF ONE OF SAID GROUP S OF GROOVES IN THE FIRST-MENTIONED ROLLER AND DISPOSED HORIZONTALLY AT A PREDETERMINED LEVEL DIFFERENT FROM THE LEVEL OF THE FIRST-MENTIONED ROLLER FOR DEFLECTING A GROUP OF FILAMENTS TRAVELLING IN THE LAST MENTINED GROUP OF GROOVES TO A PREDETERMINED PLANE A GROUP OF SHEAVES MOUNTED IN THE LASTMENTIONED PLANE ALONG A DIAGONAL WITH RESPECT TO THE LAST-MENTIONED ROLLER FOR GUIDING THROUGH A RIGHT ANGLE FILAMENTS FROM THE LAST-MENTIONED ROLLER, A SECOND GROUP OF SHEAVES MOUNTED IN A PLANE AT THE LEVEL AT WHICH A SECOND GROUP OF WIRES LEAVE THE FIRST-MENTIONED ROLLER ALONG A DIAGONAL WITH RESPECT TO THE FIRST-MENTIONED ROLLER FOR GUIDING THE SECOND GROUP OF FILAMENTS THROUGH A RIGHT ANGLE AT A LEVEL DIFFERENT FROM THE LEVEL OF THE WIRES OF THE FIRST-MENTIONED GROUP, A GROUP OF SHEAVES MOUNTED AT THE SAME LEVEL AS THE FIRST-MENTIONED GROUP OF SHEAVES ALONG A DIAGONAL WITH RESPECT TO THE SECOND TANK AND OPPOSED TO THE DIAGONAL OF THE SHEAVES OF THE FIRST-MENTIONED GROUP, A THIRD ROLLER HAVING GROOVES THEREIN MOUNTED BETWEEN THE THIRD-MENTIONED GROUP OF SHEAVES AND THE SECOND-MENTIONED TANK FOR RECEIVING THE FILAMENTS FROM THE THIRD-MENTIONED GROUP OF SHEAVES AT THE SAME LEVEL AS THE THIRD-MENTIONED GROUP OF SHEAVES, A FOURTH ROLLER HAVING GROOVES THEREIN POSITIONED 